Tape feeding and dispensing



Feb. 10, 1953 G. H. FRITZINGER 2,628,093

TAPE FEEDING AND DISPENSING Filed Dec. 12, 1947 2 SHEETS+SHEET 1 Snnentor Feb. 10, 1953 G. H. FRITZINGER 7 2,628,093

' TAPE FEEDING AND DISPENSING Filed- Dec. 12, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET z 3nventor Patented Feb. 10, 1953 TAPE FEEDING AND DISPENSING George H. Fritzinger, West Orange, N. I ,v assignor of one-half to Harold G. Kendall, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application December 12, 1947, SerialNo. 791,402

17 Claims. (Cl. 2712.4

This invention relates to novel apparatus for feeding and/or dispensing pressure-sensitive tape.

In my Patent No. 2,401,298, issued June 4, 1946, there are disclosed and claimed methods and ap paratus for feeding tacky pressure-sensitive tape based on the principle that such tape adheres tenaciously to a feed member so long as the contacting surface thereof is at 180 degrees or less from the adhesive side of the tape trailing therefromthis being referred to as the feed anglebut strips readily from the feed member in response to a slight pull when the feed angle is increased to more than 180 degrees. In that patent this principle is illustrated in terms of a reciprocative-type of feed mechanism. Although there has long existed a need for a continuoustype feeding mechanism for tacky pressure-sensitive tape, and such mechanisms have been heretofore proposed, as far as is known no one has heretofore devised a successful form of such mechanism. By the present invention, however, there is provided a successful continuous-type feeding mechanism, incorporating the feeding principle above described, which is progressively actuatable to draw any desired length of pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll and project it from the feeding mechanism.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel continuous-type feeding mechanism for pressure-sensitive tape, which is absolutely positive and dependable in its operation.

Another object is to provide a reel form of feeding mechanism for pressure-sensitive tape, which incorporates the feeding principle above described and is of the continuous-feed type.

Another object is to provide a continuous-type feeding mechanism for pressure-sensitive tape which is safeguarded against fouling the tape and which is adapted to permit easy starting of the tape as when a new roll is installed.

Another object is to provide such feeding mechanism which is small, compact and economical to manufacture. v

A further object is to provide a combination of such feeding mechanism with a tape-severing means, which is adapted to fulfill the need for a handy and dependable machine for dispensing varied selected lengths of tacky tape.-

A further object is to provide an improved dispenser operable to dispense a definite length of tacky tape from a tape supply into adhesive contact with a part of the machine separate from the feeding mechanism and from which the tape length can be easily withdrawn.

Other features and objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure l is a side view, partly in elevation and partly in section on the line l--l of Figure 2 of a mechanical dispenser according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a fractional front elevational view of this dispenser;

Figure 3 is a fractional sectional view of the feeding and severing mechanism to larger scale taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 4;

Figure 4 is a partial front elevational view of the feeding mechanism with parts in section on the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fractional section on the line 55 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a partial side elevational view of a definite-lengthv dispenser according to a modified form of my invention.

Basically, the apparatus for feeding pressuresensitive tape according to the present invention comprises a series of feed members, each having a surface for contacting the adhesive side of the tape, which are arranged serially for travellin movement in a closed path or orbit. One portion of this orbit has uniform curvature-i. e., is either straight or arcuate. Within this portion of the orbit the feed members are held at fixed distances from each other. Also, as they enter this uniform portion of theorbit, they engage successively the adhesive side of the tape to be dispensed in such manner that the feed angle between the contacting surface of each member and. the tape portion trailing therefrom is degrees or less. Thus, these-feed members within the uniform portion of the orbit have a tenacious hold on the tape and. serve to draw the tape along the orbit from the tape supply as the feed members are moved forwardly.

Beyond this uniform portion of the orbit there is a dispensing station whereat the orbit has a different degree of curvature. As each feed member enters this seeondportion of the orbit it is advanced relation to the next succeeding feed member in. a direction obliquely away from. the adhesive side of the tape and with such motion that the feed angle between the contacting surface thereof and the tape trailing therefrom is increased to more than 180 degrees. By this advance" motion at the dispensing station the feed. members are disengaged; from the tape and moved away therefrom succession to leave the fed tape projecting from the orbital path of movement of the feed members. Beyond this dispensing station the feed members are moved in any suitable path until they reach the uniform portion of the orbit above described, whereat they again engage the tape drawn from the tape supply.

This basic method of feeding pressure-sensitive tape may be carried out by different forms of apparatus. However, I prefer to use a novel form of reel mechanism since this mechanism lends itself to carrying out the present method in a very positive and effective manner by the use of compactly arranged apparatus which is economical to manufacture. This reel mechanism is shown particularly in Figures 1, 3 and 4. The mechanism comprises a supporting frame including a hub II journalled on a shaft I2 and having a wheel I3 secured to each end thereof. These wheels have radial spokes M at equal intervals and preferably are formed by stamping. Turned over from the ends of the spokes are lugs I 5. The wheels are positioned right and left to each other so that the lugs I5 project towards each other. The lugs are on a circleabout the journal axis of the frame I9 and are in line with corresponding ones along the shaft I2 so that pairs thereof constitute pivots for respective feed members It, there being twelve of these feed members in the present illustrative embodiment.

Each feed member comprises a feed bar Il having a smooth surface Ila, preferably fiat, for engaging the adhesive side of the tape. At-the left and right ends of each bar there are respective transverse arms I8 and I8a. each provided with an aperture I9. These apertures are spaced from the respective bars I l and have the centers thereof located preferably in the planes of the respective feed surfaces Ila; however, were the feed surfaces curved convex as they may be the centers are preferably in planes tangential to the leading edges of the respective surfaces. The feed members are assembled on the wheels I3 with the lugs I5 pivotally engaging the apertures I9 and with the surface Ila of each feed member facing outwardly and trailing the pivot axis of the feed member in relation to the direction of advance of the frame I0, this being counterclockwise as the frame appears in Figures 1 and 3. Thus, the feed members are arranged serially around the frame Ill in reel fashion for travelling movement in a closed path or orbit.

At the left side of the left one of the wheels I3 there is a stationary guide or cam plate having a continuous guide track 2I surrounding the shaft I 2 and in the form of a groove. On the left arm I8 of each feed member there is a leftwardly extending guide lug .22 which slidably engages continuously the guide groove 2!. This guide groove has an arcuate portion 2Ia (Figure 3) which holds a plurality of the feed members, typically five or six, in fixed angular positions relative to the frame ID wherein the feed bars thereof lie on an are about the shaft I2 as a center and at equal distances from each other. The tape 23 to be dispensed, shown by dash-dot line in Figure 3, is led onto the reel at the clockwise end portion of this are and extends taut from one feed bar to the next with each contacting surface Ila thereof at a feed angle of 180 degrees or less from the respective tape portions trailing therefrom. At the counterclockwise end of this are there is a dispensing station whereat the guide groove H has an inwardly extending rectilinear portion 2IB leading into another arcuate portion 2Ic of smaller radius than that of the portion 2 I a. As the frame II! is advanced the feed bar are turned inwardly in succession at the dispensing station by the portion 2IB of the guide groove with the guide lugs 22 moving into the spaces between the spokes I4 of the left one of the wheels I3. As each feed bar is so turned inwardly it is advanced relative to the next succeeding feed bar in an oblique direction away from the adhesive side of the tape and the contacting surface Ila thereof is turned to a feed angle greater than degrees from the tape trailing therefrom since this inward movement is about a pivot axis ahead of the bar. Preferably, I arrange the arcuate portion 2Ia of the guide groove so that the plane of the contactin surface Ila of each feed bar engaging the tape will intersect the leading edge of the next succeeding feed bar. When so arranged, the feed angle of the tape to each feed bar is approximately 180 degrees and the initial inwardly turning movement of each feed bar at the dispensing station is effective immediately to increase the feed angle to more than 180 degrees and cause the tape to be stripped free therefrom without deflecting the tape inwardly to any substantial extent. As a result, the fed tape projects substantially on a tangent line of the reel at the dispensing station. The arcuate portion file of the guide groove serves to retain the feed bars in inward positions near the hub II and provide a clearance below the fed tape projecting from the reel at the dispensing station. At the counterclockwise end of this arcuate portion 240 the same is joined to the arcuate groove portion 2Ia by a rectilinear groove portion 2Id or, if desired, by any other such outwardly extending portion. This groove portion ZId restores the feed bars successively into position for reengagement with the tape 23.

This reel-type feeding mechanism is mounted in a housing and frame 2 3-, with suitable severing means, to provide a handy dispenser for delivering and severing any desired length of tacky tape from a supply roll 25. The housing 24 comprises left and right side Walls 25 and El each of which has the outline appearing in Figure 1. These side walls are preferably thin metal sheets formed by stamping and drawing operations. The sheets have inwardly flanged edges 28 and 2a (Figure 2) which extend along the front of the machine from the base thereof to a line 30 at the top thereof. Extending along these flanged edges at a short distance therefrom are respective inwardly turned beads EI and 32. Thus a groove is formed in each side wall between the flanged edge and bead thereof along the front of the machine. Engaging this groove is a front wall 3 3 of the housing shaped to have the contour of the front edge of the side walls. These side and front walls seat on a base 35 formed also of sheet metal. The base is apertured to receive lugs 35 depending from the side walls and similar lugs 37 depending from the front wall, the lugs being twisted slightly after entering the apertures to hold the walls and base in assembled relation. At the top the side walls are clamped tightly against the front wall by the shaft I2 as will appear.

The housing may be closed, if desired, by a removable cover 38. This cover fits between the side walls and is shaped to conform to the shape of the rear edge thereof. To form a seat for the cover the beads 33 and 32 are extended rearwardly to the base 35. The cover has an inset lip 4| at its forward end which engages the underside of the front wall 34 to hold the front-end of the cover in place. staked to the rearward end of the cover is a fingerpiece 42 having an inwardly extending stud G3 which hooks into an apertured lug 14 standing up from the base to hold the cover in place. To remove the cover it is-necessary only to unhook it from the lug 4 3 and then lift the cover upwardly so that it hinges about the edge 36 and is detached therefrom.

The feeding mechanism is mounted in the upper forward portion of the housing and is held in place by the shaft !2 passing through the side walls 26 and 27. The shaft l2 has a head l2a at its left end bearing against the left wall 26, and has a headed screw to threaded into its right end which bears against the right wall 21 to clamp the two side walls against the front wall as aforementioned. The cam plate 26 is secured tightly to the left wall by two screws 41.

The supply roll 25 is mounted in the housing so that it lies below and to the rear of the feeding mechanism. The roll is itself mounted on a core 58 having two axially extending trunnions 49. These trunnions rest rotatably in respective U members secured as by welding to the side walls of the housing. These U members are open to the rear of the housing and are flared outwardly at their open ends so as to enable the trunnions to be easily engaged therewith when a new roll is installed. Also, the U members are inclined slightly upwardly to retain the roll in place and are sprung together slightly to detent the trunnions in the inner ends thereof.

The cam plate 28 is so oriented about the shaft 12 that the projecting fed tape 23a (Figure 3) is in a forward-downward direction. The portion of the front wall St to the front of the feed mechanism is arcuate about the shaft [2 to the lowermost part of the feed mechanism and in this arcuate portion there is an exit opening 52 for the fed tape 23a, which is approximately as wide as is the length of the feed bars. This arcuate portion of the front wall recedes far enough to be vertically below the inwardly turned ones of the feed bars. Extending upwardly from this recession is a guard 53 (Figure 3) which terminates in front of and slightly above the feed 7 bar last detached from the projecting fed tape 2311. This guard is integral with a depending section of the front wall 34 and is hinged at its lower end, as at 32, to the front wall 36. The guard is urged rearwardly into the position it occupies in the figures by a tension spring 83, this position being defined by the abutment of two lugs 8 of the guard against the front wall as shown in Figure 2. This guard serves to prevent possible fouling of the operation of the machine as is hereinafter described.

The portion of the front wall 35 above the projecting fed tape is flat and removably mounted thereon is a standard razor blade 54. This mounting comprises a clamping member 55 which extends through the width of the housing between the flanged edges 28 and 29. This clamping member carries two locating pins 56 which pass through the blade and through respective apertures in the front wall of the housing, and carries further a central and longer pin 51 which passes through the blade and another aperture in the front wall. The central pin has a grooved end portion to receive releasably a spring 58 secured at as to the wall 34. This spring 58 holds releasably the clamp 55 in place. To cut the fed length of tape 23a projecting out of the housing 24, the tape'is merely drawn upwardly at a slight angle against the cutting edge of the blade.

Between the wheels l3 there is a forwardly and downwardly extending leaf sprin 60 the forward end of which terminates below and to the rear of the cutting edge of the blade 54. This spring may be integral with the spring 58 aforementioned. This spring serves to direct always the fed tape at a clearance distance below the blade 56. Inv addition, the spring is adapted to yield to the tensioning of the tape as it is drawn against the blade to be severed and to break positively the adhesive contact of the forward end of the tape supply with the cutting edge after the tape is cut so that when a succeeding length is fed from the machine the tape will not adhere to the blade and be curled back on itself.

The feed mechanism is actuated by depressing a hand lever 6! comprising a U member 62 pivoted at one end inside the housing on a cross pin 63 carried by two upstanding lugs 54 (Figures 1 and 2) struck from the base 35. This U member extends through clearance slots 65 in the front wall 34. Mounted on the exterior end portion of this member is a cap 69, as of plastic, which extends preferably through the width of the housing. Pivoted at 67 to this hand lever is a link 68 which extends upwardly to the right side of the feed mechanism between the right wheel l3 and. the right side wall of the housing. The upper end of the link is pivoted at 59 to a pawl H! which has a hub H pivoted on the shaft l2. This pawl has an inwardly inclined tooth '52 which enters the spaces St between the spokes of the right wheel [3 under the influence of a tension spring connected from an intermediate portion of the link 63 (Fig. 4) as to the left le of the U member 62. The hand lever is held in a raised position by a tension spring 13, this position being defined by abutment of the U member 62 against the upper ends of the slots '65. The spring 73 is connected for example from the lower portion of the link 68 to a lug M on the housing.

As the hand lever is depressed through its full stroke as until the U member 62 impinges against a resilient pad '15 on the base 35, the pawl 12 catches on one of the spokes Id and is turned downwardly to advance the feed mechanism through an angle of 69 degrees and move each feed bar into the position occupied by the second one ahead of it. This causes about one inch of tape to be fed out of the machine. When the handle is released it is returned by the spring 13 and the tooth i2 is cammed upwardly past the spokes l4. If two or more inches of tape are to be dispensed, the hand lever is depressed, released and then depressed again before the tape is out. Also, a fraction of any such length may be dispensed by depressing the handle through only part of a full stroke. As the hand lever is returned from an actuated position the feed mechanism is detented against backfeeding by a detent spring i=6 mounted in a recess if in the cam plate 20 (Figures 3 and 5). This is a leaf spring having a base portion secured as by welding to the inner wall of the recess. The remaining portion of the spring extends through an opening 18 in the cam plate. This spring is bifurcated at its free end to have a detent finger 79 that enters the spaces 86 between the spokes M and another finger 8! that slides continuously against the left wheel 13 to locate the detent finger within the thickness dimension of the wheel.

The tape drawn from the roll 25 is started on the feed mechanism simply by drawing oif a length of an inch or so and pressing the adhesive side of the forward end thereof into contact with one of the feed bars 1'! above the roll. As the hand lever is next reciprocated the tape is drawn around the upper portion of the reel from one feed bar to the next to the dispensing station whereat the feed bars are disengaged successively from the tape and the tape is projected through the exit openin 52 as hereinbefore described.

The guard 53 serves in various ways to prevent the tape from the supply roll, or severed lengths thereof, from being carried around the feed mechanism and possibly fouling the operation of the machine. For instance, if a fed projecting length is inadvertently deflected downwardly and inwardly, the guard prevents it from being reattached to the inwardly turned feed members. Even if, after the fed length is severed from the tape supply, the length of tape between the blade 54 and the first feed bar should be so deflected downwardly it will contact the guard and be prevented from be ng carried around the feed mechanism.

On the upper end of the guard is a forwardly turned lip 5311 which is very important in enabling the guard to carry out fully its safeguarding functions. For instance, when the tape is defiected downwardly against the guard, the forward edge of the lip contacts the tape and causes it to bow forwardly-i. e., to appear convex at the 3 front of the machine. If the operator depresses the handle while the tape is so attached to the guard, the resultant feeding of the tape causes the tape to loop forwardly through the opening 52 instead of looping inwardly into a space between the feed bars. A further important safeguarding function of the guard occurs when the last portion of the tape is drawn from the supply roll or if the tape should tear. The operation of the feed mechanism following such an occurrence will cause the torn-free length to be projected forwardly through the opening 52 in the normal way until only one feed bar any longer contacts the tape length. As this last feed bar is moved past the dispensing position it carries the tape length downwardly to bring the adhesive side thereof against the lip 53a. The upper surface of this lip is preferably smooth and polished so that as the tape length is moved thereagainst it obtains a tenacious hold on the lip and is drawn free from the last feed bar as this feed bar is moved past the lip (Figure 3) to leave the tape length lodged on the guard,

In order to enable the tape to be easily stripped from the guard, and to provide access to the feed mechanism to the front of the machine, the guard is hinged at 82 for forward opening. When the guard is released from an open position it is returned to closed position by the spring 83.

Although the lip 53a is preferably smooth and polished all other surfaces of the guard are preferably rough like a crinkled paint surface so that the tape will have poor adherence thereto. Also, the underside of the guide 69 is provided with such roughened surface so that if the operator should leave the leading end of the tape curled upwardly from the feed mechanism when he starts the tape in the machine, the adhesive side of this leading end will not become attached to the guide and cause the tape to be stripped backwardly from the feed bars but will instead be slid along the guide and out of the opening 52.

In Figure 6 I show fractionally a fixed-length dispenser which is a modification of the foregoing embodiment. Many parts of this second dispenser are the same as in the foregoing and are given the same reference characters. For instance it has the same feed mechanism comprising the spoked wheels l3 journalled on the shaft [2 and pivotally carrying the feed members |6only one being fully shown-having the respective feed bars I! and guide lugs 22 of which the latter engage the groove 2| of the cam plate 20 fractionally shown. This feed mechanism is again advanced a step at a time by the ratchet pawl 19 pivoted on the shaft I2 and having the tooth 12 for releasably engaging the spokes M of the wheel 13. Thus, again as the feed mechanism is advanced the tape 23 is drawn from the supply roll 25 and carried around to the dispensing station at the front of the feed mechanism whereat it is projected forwardly through an exit opening of a housing 86 for the machine.

A first modification in the operating mechanism of this dispenser is in providing a tape severing means, generally referred to as 8'], for severing the tape between, for example, the second and third feed bars preceding the dispensing station. This severing means is carried, for example, by a link 88, corresponding to the link 58 of the foregoing embodiment, which is coupled to a hand lever not shown and pivoted at 39 to the pawl 10 to operate the feed mechanism. In this case, however, the link is extended upwardly above the feed mechanism by a distance equal at least to the length of stroke of the link. Turned over from the upper end of this 1ink is a lug 89 and depending from the rearward end of this lug is a blade 93 which lies between the planes of the two wheels 13.

As the link is moved through its downward stroke to advance the feed mechanism one stepwhich is to advance each feed bar into the position occupied by the second one ahead of it--a length of tape of typically an inch or more is fed forwardly, and during the final part of this stroke the blade 99 passes through the space between the aforementioned sccond and third feed bars to sever the tape. Thus, as an incident of each advance of the feed mechanism a length of tape 9i, which is carried by the two feed bars preceding the dispensing station, is cut from the tape supply. Also, during this same advance of the feed mechanism, the length of tape which was so severed from the tape supply during the last preceding advance of the feed mechanism is fed out of the opening 85 as described in the following paragraph.

This feeding of the tape occurs in the manner hereinbei'ore described as to the first embodiment when the end of a supply roll is reached. For instance, as the first of the two feed bars engaging the tape length Bl is swung inwardly it is pulled free from the tape because the tape has a feed angle to it of more than degrees but has a feed angle to the second feed bar of less than 180 degrees. However, as the second feed 5 bar is moved past the dispensing station the tape simply adheres thereto and is carried downwardly into adhesive contact with a receiving member in the form of a smooth-surfaced roller $32. This roller is journalled at its axis to a guard 93 such as the guard 53 of the first embodiment. The roller is detented by a detent spring 94 so that it can turn only in a counterclockwise direction as it appears in Figure 6-which is in a direction causing the surface portion of the roller facing towards the dispensing station to move away from the path of the feed bars. When the tape length 91 contacts the roller 92 it adheres tenaciously thereto with the result that the second of the feed bars is stripped from the tape as it is moved past the roller. Thus, the tape length iii to be dispensed is pulled free from the feed mechanism and is lodged on a normally stationary part of the machine in a dispensing position. Upon next taking hold of the outer end of this tape length and drawing forwardly the roller will turn counterclockwise to strip the tape from the second of the two feed bars, if it is not already stripped therefrom, and to strip it free from the roller. An advantage in so lodging the tape lengths on a part of the machine separate from the feed mechanism is that the tape lengths are prevented positively from being carried around the feed mechanism and fouling the operation of the machine. If one length is not drawn from the roller 92 before a second length is fed out, the second is simply deposited onto the first. Thus, I provide a fixedlength dispenser which is substantially foolproof.

rem the foregoing description it will be apparent that provide dispensers according to my invention adapted to dispense either fixed or varied selected lengths of pressure-sensitive tape with the adhesive side facing downwardly to permit the tape to be handled and applied in a very simple manner. Also, these dispensers are operated by a simple manipulation of the hand equally well suited to rightand left-handed operators. Also, these machines are adapted to permit the tape to be started on the feed mechanism, as when a new roll is installed, in a very simple manner. Furthermore, important fea tures of the present dispensers are that they work positively and dependably, and are safeguarded against fouling the tape. Even should the tape get fouled around the feed mechanism, ready access is provided around the feed mechanism to enable the operator to take hold of the advance end of the tape and pull it from the feed mechanism, Still further, it is a feature that the housing provides a substantially complete closure for the tape supply. This is important not only in that it protects the tape from dust and varied conditions of the atmosphere, but permits the tape to be maintained in a desired moistened condition free from cross tearing by placing a suitably moistened sponge or blotter in the housing.

The embodiments of my invention herein particularly described are intended to be illustrative and not necessarily limitative of my invention, since the same may be changed and modified without departing from the scope of my invention, which I endeavour to express accord ing to the following claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a tape supply, comprising a frame; an endless carrier movably mounted on said frame; a series of tape feed members arranged serially on said carrier for travelling movement in a common orbit, said feed members having respective face thereof at more than degrees from the adhesive side of the tape trailing therefrom and at an increased spacing from the next succeeding feed member whereby to peel the tape therefrom; and means at a station along said orbit for imparting said tape-releasing movement to said feed members in succession as the feed members are advanced past said station.

2. A mechanism'for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a series of tape feed members each having a surface for holding to the tape by adhesive contact therewith; a movable support on which said feed members are pivotally mounted and serially arranged for orbital movement of their contacting surfaces within the orbital paths of their respective pivot axes; means for advancing said support to move said feed members successively, at a predetermined station, into contact with the adhesive side of the tape drawn from said roll; and a guide having a portion controlling a predetermined number of the feed members following said station to hold them in fixed relation tosaid support for movement in a path of uniform curvature wherein the contacting surfaces thereof are within the orbital paths of their pivot axes on said support and are at 180 degrees or less from the adhesive side of the respective tape portions trailing therefrom, and said guide having a succeeding portion adapted for turning the feed members successively inwardly relative to said support as the latter is advanced to cause the feed surfaces thereof to be moved to more than 180 degrees from the adhesive side of the respective trailing tape portions and to be advanced relative to each succeeding feed member in a direction away from the adhesive side of the tape.

3. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a series of tape feed members each having a surface for holding to the tape by adhesive contact therewith; a rotatably mounted sup-port to which said feed members are pivoted at equal space intervals on a circle about the journal axis of said support as a center, each of said feed members having its pivot axis on said support at a distance ahead of its feed surface in relation to the direction of advance of said support, and each of said feed surfaces having an orbital path of movement within said circle; means for advancing said support to move said feed surfaces successively, at a predetermined station, into contact with the adhesive side of the tape drawn from said supply roll; and a guide having one portion controlling a plurality of said feed members following said station for guiding the same in a path of uniform curvature wherein the feed surfaces thereof are within said circle and are at substantially 180 degrees or less from adhesive side of the respective tape portions trailing therefrom, and said guide having a succeeding portion for turning said feed members successively inwardly relative to said support to place the feed surfaces thereof at more than 180 degrees from the adhesive side of the respectively trailing tape portions and at an increased distance from the respectively succeeding feed members.

4. The mechanism set forth in claim 3 wherein said guide has a further succeeding portion cornpleting an. orbit around said journal axis for turning the feed members back successively to their original positions relative to said support as said support is advanced.

5. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a series of tape feed members each having a surface for holding to the tape by adhesive contact therewith; a rotatably mounted support to which said feed members are pivoted atequal intervals on a circle about the journal axis of said support as a center, the pivot for each of said feed members being ahead of the feed surface thereof in relation to the direction of advance of said support, and each of said feed surfaces being confined to an orbital path within said circle, said support being advanceable to move the feed surfaces of said members successively into contact with the adhesive side of the tape at a predetermined station and to draw the tape from said roll; and means angularly controlling said feed members in relation to said support comprising a first guide element to hold a plurality of said feed members following said station in fixed relation to said sup-port wherein the feed surfaces thereof are at 180 degrees or less from the adhesive side of the'respective tap portions trailing therefrom, and comprising a second guide element to turn the feed members successively inwardly towards said journal axis, at a place further following said station, as said support is advanced whereby to detach the same successively from the tape and cause the fed tape to project from said feeding mechanism.

6. The feeding mechanism set forth in claim 5, including a stationary guard positioned between the projecting fed tape and the inwardly turned feed members. 4

7. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a series of tape feed members respectively having surfaces for holding to the tape by adhesive contact; a rotatably mounted supporting frame to which said feed members are pivoted at equal intervals on a circle about the journal axis of said frame as a center, the pivot axes of said feed members on said frame being parallel to and spaced from the respective feed surfaces in the direction of advance of said frame, and said feed surfaces facing outwardly from said journal axis and having an orbital path of movement within said circle, said frame being advanceable to move the feed surfaces of said feed members successively into contact with the adhesive side of the tape at a predetermined station and to draw the tape from said roll; and a guide engaging said feed members and controlling the same in relation to said frame, said guide having one portion adapted to hold a predetermined number of said feed members following said station in positions wherein the feed surfaces thereof are substantially on an arc of lesser radius than that of said circle and at angles of 180 degrees or less from the adhesive side of the respective tape portions trailing therefrom, and said guide having a succeeding portion adapted to turn said feed members inwardly towards said journal axis, in succession, as said frame is advanced.

8. The mechanism set forth in claim '7 wherein said feed surfaces are flat, and the feed surface of each feed member within said arc is substantially in a plane extending from the ivot axis of the respective feed member to the leading edge of the feed surface of the next succeeding feed member.

9. A reel mechanism for feeding pressuresensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a rotatably mounted hub; a wheel secured to each end of said hub; a series of tape feed bars for contactin the adhesive side of the tape, said bars being positioned between said Wheels in parallel relation to the journal axis of said hub and each of said bars being pivoted to said wheels at a distance from the bar in th direction of advance thereof and on an axis parallel to said journal axis, the pivot axes of successive bars being at equal intervals on a circle about said journal axis as a center and said feed bars having an orbital path of movement with advance of said wheels which is within said circle; a guide lug on each of said feed bars extending laterally beyond one of said wheels; and a guide member adjacent to said one wheel having a continuous guide track surrounding said journal axis and engaged slidably by each of said lugs, said track having one portion on an are about said journal axis for holding the feed bars in engagement therewith on an arc of lesser radius than that of said circle for engagement with the adhesive side of the tape drawn from said roll, said track having a succeeding inwardly curved portion for turning said feed bars successively inwardly in an oblique advancing direction relative to each respectively succeedin feed member to detach the feed bars successively from the tape and cause the fed tape to project from the feeding mechanism at a dispensing station, and said track having an outwardly curved remaining portion for successively turning outwardly the inwardly positioned feed bars to said arc for engagement again with the tape drawn from said roll.

10. The feedin mechanism set forth in claim 9, including a guard between said wheels and extending along the path of the inwardly turned feed bars for preventing the fed tape from contacting said bars.

11. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a tape supply, comprising a series of feed members each having a surface for contacting the adhesive side of the tape, said feed members being mounted for movement in a common orbit and the tape from said supply being led onto said members at a given point in said orbit, said orbit having a portion of uniform curvature following said point and having a succeeding portion of greater curvature inwardly at a dispensing station of said mechanism; actuatable means for effecting "travelling movement of said feed members along said orbit to pull the tape from said supply; and means responsive to said actuatable means for successively advancing the feed members at said station relative to each respectively succeeding feed member including means for causing each such relatively advancing member to be directed inwardly with respect to said orbit whereby to strip the feed members successively from the tape and cause the tape to project from the feed mechanism at said station' 12. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a tape supply, comprising a series of feed members each having a surface for contacting the adhesive side of the tape. said feed members being mounted for movement in a common orbit and the tape fro-m said supply being led onto said members at a given point in said orbit, said orbit having a portion of uniform curvature following said point and having a succeeding portion of greater curvature inwardly at a dispensing station of said mechanism; actuatable means for effecting travelling movement of said feed members along said orbit to pull the tape from said supply; and means responsive to said actuatable means for successively advancing the feed members at said station relative to each re- 13 spectively succeeding feed member including means for causing each such relatively advancing member to be directed inwardly with respect to said orbit whereby to strip the feed members successively from the tape and cause the tape to project from the feed mechanism at said station;

tape length to be stripped therefrom by a pulling force on the tape forwardly directed with respect to the machine.

13. The feed mechanism set forth in claim 12, wherein said receiving device is a roller journalled at its axis, and means limiting said roller for turning movement only in a direction causing the surface portion thereof facing said station to move away from said path.

14. In a device for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from :a supply roll: the combination of a carrier mounted for travelling movement; a plurality of transverse feeding members having fiat surfaces for contacting the adhesive side of the tape and for holding thereto only by the tackiness of the tape; means mounting said feed members on said carrier for unison travelling movement and for oscillatory movement additional to their travelling movement independently of each other each in a direction inwardly of the carrier and forwardly with respect to the travelling movement thereof and in a reverse direction into an outward-rearward position; and means contacting said feed members and operative during advancement of said carrier for effecting said inward-forward movement of said feed members in succession as the feed members reach a first station in their path of travel and for returning said feed members in succession to their respective outward-rearward positions as the feed members reach a second station in said path.

15. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a frame; an endless carrier movab'ly mounted on said frame; a series of transverse spaced-apart feed members around the periphery of said carrier each of which has a surface for contacting the adhesive side of the tape and for holding thereto only by the tackiness of the tape, said carrier being adapted to present said feed members into contact with following portions of the tape at a predetermined station and to move said members in a path of uniform curvature following said station with said surfaces at 180 degrees or less from the adhesive side of the respective tape portions trailing therefrom; means movably mounting each of said feed members on said carrier for advance movement away from the next succeeding feed member into a respective tape-releasing position wherein the feed surface thereof is at more than 180 degrees from the adhesive side of the 14 tape trailing therefrom to the next succeeding feed member; and means for detaching the tape from said feed members in succession at a dispensing station beyond" said path of uniform curvature comprising stationary means on said frame and means coupled to said feed members and controlled by said stationary means as said carrier is advanced for moving said feed members in succession at saiddispensing station into their respective tape-releasing positions on said carrier.

16. A mechanism for feeding pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, comprising a frame;

an endless carrier movably mounted on said frame; a series of spaced-apart transverse feed members on said carrier for travelling movement in a common orbit; means supporting said supply roll in position to cause the adhesive side of the tape drawn therefrom to engage said feed members, said feed members having surfaces for contacting following portions of the tape at a predetermined station and for holding thereto only by the tackiness of the tape as said carrier tape-releasing movement in an advancing direcis advanced; means movably mounting each of said feed members on saidzcarrier for angular tion inwardly of said orbit causing the tape to be peeled therefrom; .a dispensing station positioned at a distance along said orbit from said predetermined station and comprising means for imparting said tape-releasing movement to said feed members in succession as the same are advanced past said dispensing station by said carrier; and means on said frame for returning the released feed members on said carrier in directions outwardly of said orbit before the same reach said predetermined station in their orbital travel.

17. The combination set forth in claim 14, wherein said feed members have tape engageable surfaces at angles of degrees or less from the adhesive side of the respective lengths of tape trailing therefrom when the feed members are in their said outward-rearward positions, and wherein said surfaces are moved to angles greater than 180 degrees from the adhesive side of the respective trailing lengths as the feed members are moved to their said respective forward-inward positions whereby to cause the tape to be peeled I from the feed members in succession a they are advanced past said first station.

GEORGE H. FRITZINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,647,305 Peters Nov. 1, 192? 1,972,851 McCarthy Sept. 4, 1934 2,241,658 Engberg May 13, 1941 2,272,628 Anderson Feb. 10, 1942 2,277,693 Dybvig Mar. 31, 1942 2,401,298 Fritzinger June 4, 1946 

